Monthly Archives: April 2008

Salvation Apart From Repentance?

Posted by Dan C. on

Is salvation apart from repentance even possible? I am not talking here of some agonizing exercise of dredging up every little sin ever committed in order to make a verbal confession of each and every one. I am speaking however, of recognizing one’s sinful wretched state apart from Christ  and a consciousness turning away from sin and toward God.

“The idea that God will pardon a rebel who has not given up his rebellion is contrary to the Scripture and common sense. How horrible to contemplate a church full of persons who have been pardons but who still love sin and hate the ways of righteousness. And how much more horrible to think of heaven as filled with sinners who have not repented nor changed their ways of living.

I think there is little doubt that the teachings of salvation without repentance has lowered the moral standards of the church and produced a multitude of deceived religious professors who erroneously believe themselves to be saved when in fact they are still in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.” A. W. Tozer – The Root of the Righteous

There are those who would say that ‘repentance is an act, something one ‘does’, making it a work and therefore not necessary for salvation.  I have even heard on more than a few occasions and from various sources that you are accepted by Jesus and will be embraced by God “with” your sin. Such is the popular notion of “unconditional acceptance”, and what appears to be the modern definition of grace. Not only that, it is being preached as the gospel of Jesus Christ in churches all across America, not to mention ‘sold’ as the gospel in Christian bookstores filled with ‘spiritual junk food’ as the main fare.

Step right up! Come to Jesus!  NO repentance necessary! If you give up on sin later, that’s ok. If you don’t, that’s ok too! God loves you SOOOOOOOO MUCH he cannot imagine heaven without you!

My friend, the creator of the universe did not send his Son to die for our sins so that we could just drag them along with us when we eagerly raise our hand, walk down front, or sign a little card in order to have our ‘best life now’. God sent his own Son, literally ‘gave him up’, so that when faced with our sin, we would hate it, forsake it, turn to Him and live the rest of our lives for His glory!

For God so loved the world. . .

Posted by Dan C. on

“For this is the way36 God loved the world: He gave his one and only37 Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish38 but have eternal life.”39 – John 3:16 (NET)36tn Or “this is how much”; or “in this way.” The Greek adverb οὕτως (Joutws) can refer (1) to the degree to which God loved the world, that is, to such an extent or so much that he gave his own Son (see R. E. Brown, John [AB], 1:133-34; D. A. Carson, John, 204) or (2) simply to the manner in which God loved the world, i.e., by sending his own son (see R. H. Gundry and R. W. Howell, “The Sense and Syntax of John 3:14-17 with Special Reference to the Use of Οὕτως…ὥστε in John 3:16,” NovT 41 [1999]: 24-39). Though the term more frequently refers to the manner in which something is done (see BDAG 741-42 s.v. οὕτω/οὕτως), the following clause involving ὥστε (Jwste) plus the indicative (which stresses actual, but [usually] unexpected result) emphasizes the greatness of the gift God has given. With this in mind, then, it is likely (3) that John is emphasizing both the degree to which God loved the world as well as the manner in which He chose to express that love. This is in keeping with John’s style of using double entendre or double meaning. Thus, the focus of the Greek construction here is on the nature of God’s love, addressing its mode, intensity, and extent.37tn Although this word is often translated “only begotten,” such a translation is misleading, since in English it appears to express a metaphysical relationship. The word in Greek was used of an only child (a son [Luke 7:12, 9:38] or a daughter [Luke 8:42]). It was also used of something unique (only one of its kind) such as the mythological Phoenix (1 Clement 25:2). From here it passes easily to a description of Isaac (Heb 11:17 and Josephus, Ant. 1.13.1 [1.222]) who was not Abraham’s only son, but was one-of-a-kind because he was the child of the promise. Thus the word means “one-of-a-kind” and is reserved for Jesus in the Johannine literature of the NT. While all Christians are children of God (τέκνα θεοῦ, tekna qeou), Jesus is God’s Son in a unique, one-of-a-kind sense. The word is used in this way in all its uses in the Gospel of John (1:14, 1:18, 3:16, and 3:18).38tn In John the word ἀπόλλυμι (apollumi) can mean either (1) to be lost (2) to perish or be destroyed, depending on the context.39sn The alternatives presented are only two (again, it is typical of Johannine thought for this to be presented in terms of polar opposites): perish or have eternal life.

B4B NOTE: I think it worth noting that it only those who believe have eternal life, although the extent of God’s is love is to the world. The question then becomes “Who CAN believe?”, followed by “What does it mean to believe?”

What’s wrong with being ‘seeker’ sensitive’?

Posted by Dan C. on

Disclaimer: this post is not about any specific church, person, style of music, program, or any other contemporary methods involved in what is frequently called ‘doing church’. If you draw a similarity between the topic(s) discussed herein and any actual church you know of or are involved in, please do not accuse me of being hurtful, intolerant, or accusatory. However, do take it to heart, apply the Berean principle and be obedient to what God would have you do (or not do).

First of all, let’s say the principal of ‘seeker-sensitivity’ assumes that deep down inside everyone is seeking God, whether they know it or not. The purpose of being seeker-sensitive is to attract those who do not know Christ to come to church, hear about him and choose him.  By the way, I actually heard a sermon propose that to hear of Christ and NOT choose him is to go against human nature. Let’s see what scripture has to say about the ‘natural’ man:

“As it is written:
There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit;
The poison of asps is under their lips;
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Romans 3:10-18

In the above reference, the Apostle Paul spoke specifically to everyone being in the same boat, Jews and Gentiles, NOT seeking God.  I’ll leave it to you to look up where “it is written”.

Now hear Paul again, to believers in Ephesus.

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” (Ephesians 2: 1-30)

Here he tells believers they used to be just like everyone else, spiritually dead and as ‘natural’ men, objects of God’s wrath. So mucn for the ‘natural’ man.

Now let’s assume all men are ‘seekers’. Now that’s a perfectly sound statement. We are all seeking after something. Maslow would tell you the highest goal of ‘natural’ man is self-actualization. If you are unfamiliar with Maslow, the hierarchy of needs’ he developed is still the most prominent and accepted theory of human behavior. Pertaining to the ‘natural’ man, his theory is ‘spot on’, according to the Bible. We live for ourselves.

A couple of points here:

1.  Yes, all men are seekers, but NOT after God.

2. Those who do seek God, seek him because they were made alive by the Holy Spirit. (See John 4:44, 65)

If the above is true what does being ‘seeker-sensitive mean?

It means we are in the business of appealing to the spiritually dead who are only attracted to what pleases THEM, and what pleases them isn’t God.  We end up using worldly gimmicks and methods because that’s the only way they’ll come. That, my friends, is ‘self-centered’ church and dishonors God.

On the other hand, if we understand that only those whom the Holy Spirit has awakened from the dead will receive the message of the gospel, all we have to do is preach it!  The church doors are open to anyone who wants to enter, we preach the gospel in love (including sin, judgment and God’s holy wrath), awakened hearts hear their true condition apart from Christ, are drawn to the Savior, and God receives ALL the glory!

‘Doing’ Church

Posted by Dan C. on

You hear that phrase quite a lot these days. I’m not sure when the phrase ‘do’ became connected to ‘church’, but the recollection I have of the verb ‘do’ replacing ‘go’ was hearing ‘Let’s do lunch’, probably in a television program or commercial in which a couple of upper middle class friends/business types. It actually sounded a little pretentious. Most ordinary folk either ‘go to’ or ‘eat’  lunch depending on whether or not they are headed that way, or are seated with something ready to be consumed on the table/counter top in front of them. ‘Doing’ lunch includes the other things that will occur during the period of time designated/allotted for an event for two or more people. If you are alone you don’t ‘do’ lunch, unless maybe you are talking to yourself. If you are ‘doing’ lunch you aren’t in the kitchen fixing, cooking, making, or preparing it.

From what I have observed, ‘doing’ church involves the sum of activity  that is associated with an entity called ‘church’.  The term is used by those involved in planning and presenting, along with those who attend. ‘Doing’ church is ‘hip’, ‘cool’, ‘fun’, and oh. . . ‘so now’ (as opposed to ‘so yesterday’). ‘Doing’ church is contemporary, positive, encouraging, upbeat and exciting. It is never a negative experience. It’s everything YOU could want!

. . .but is it what GOD wants?

First of all, ‘church’ by definition is the ‘called out (of the mass of fallen humanity and by God) body of believers, not buildings, programs or activities. That, however is a small point compared to the bigger issue reflected in the question “WHO is the central focus of ‘doing church’?”

By all appearances, even the casual ‘unchurched’ observer would probably conclude it’s in order to get as many of the ‘unchurched’ IN church and then keep them coming so that they can become ‘churched’?  Well, not exactly. The goal is for the ‘unchurched’ to become believers, or followers of Christ, which IS the right goal. So why not just use the term ‘non-believers’? Well, in the always positive, upbeat and encouraging world of ‘doing church’, if we called the ‘unchurched’  ‘non-believers’ it could be perceived as negative, maybe a personal attack, or even hate speech! That’s an opinion – maybe exaggerated a bit, but I think there’s truth in it.

Everywhere I look at the typical American church these days, it seems to all about ‘satisfying the consumer’ than first and foremost about God and his glory. I see self-centeredness  instead of God-centeredness. I don’t care if you call it seeker-friendly, purpose driven, ‘real’ church for ‘real’ people, or whatever, if God is not at the center, it’s upside down, and in direct opposition to everything Jesus had to say about the new covenant and discipleship.

This is not about music or worship styles, or any of the other ‘things’ that accompany the gathering of God’s people, although some of the ‘things’ these days are highly questionable. It’s about  GOD and HIS glory. But to grasp what that really means, one must have a proper understanding of who we are and who God IS.

. . .and that’s another worthy and much needed discussion these last days.

Be blessed,

B4B

"I Saw the Lord. . ." – Isaiah 6:1-5

Posted by Dan C. on

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:

      “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
      The whole earth is full of His glory!”

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 So I said:
      “Woe is me, for I am undone!
      Because I am a man of unclean lips,
      And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
      For my eyes have seen the King,
      The LORD of hosts.”

One commentary  (Gill) has this to say about the fifth verse:

Isa 6:5 – Then said I, woe is me,…. There’s no woe to a good man, all woes are to the wicked; but a good man may think himself wretched and miserable, partly on account of his own corruptions, the body of sin and death he carries about with him; and partly on account of wicked men, among whom he dwells,

because I am a man of unclean lips; he says nothing of the uncleanness of his heart, nor of his actions; not that he was free from such impurity; but only of his lips, because it was the sin of his office that lay upon his mind, and gave him present uneasiness; there is no man but offends in words, and of all men persons in public office should be careful of what they say; godly ministers are conscious of many failings in their ministry.

The particular significance to this old guy at 04:15 AM, April 11, 2008 is this:

To see the Lord is to be abruptly confronted with the sin that still remains within us. I cannot imagine it otherwise.

There is also a question that comes to mind: “When Dan steps into the sanctuary of the church he attends, or even other churches, is the presence of the Lord so noticeable that there is a consciousness of personal sinfulness? Even a little bit?” There should be something about a church sanctuary that reflects his unique holiness, separate from this world and all it’s sin and sensual appetites.

That’s Sunday morning. No matter what the day of the week, I should live with a humble, ever-present consciousness of who I am in the flesh in comparison to the High and Holy One who dwells within me by His Holy Spirit. That’s not something I can somehow ‘drum up’ on my own. It is however present when the Holy Spirit within has sufficient sway over the still remaining lusts of my flesh. It comes ‘NEW naturally’ when His Word is hidden in my heart. (Psalm 199:11).

Keeping first things first. . .

Posted by Dan C. on

The Apostle Paul probably ascertained some misplaced priorities within the church at the church in Corinth, for he had this to say to them in a letter written to them to point out that very thing – divisions and misplaced priorities.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (died).” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6) (Emphasis mine)

The above verses are nearly always used to answer the question “What is the core of the gospel message?” I know I refer to them constantly when discussing the definition of the “gospel”.  Paul was a, in his own words, a ‘Jew among Jews’, with what some term the equivalent of several Masters degrees and Doctorate or two in his curriculum vitae. He nearly always preached in Jewish synagogues first before taking his message to his primary audience, the non-Jewish Gentile community. Wherever he went, his message revolved around the crucifixion of Christ and the work of God in reconciling men and women to Himself through that death and resurrection. More of Paul’s words to the same crowd. . .

“. . ., but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Many times I’ve heard this sort of reaction to what Paul says is ‘of first importance’:

“So what? That was then and this is now. Just talking about God’s love and how much he wants us to find our special purpose and have our best life now is what attracts people to church. We don’t need all that sin and repentance stuff!”

If you ever get that, a reply to those objections just might be. . .

Well, you might be filling pews (and theater seating) with the ‘unchurched’, and pronouncing anyone who ‘makes a decision’ because they liked the show ‘saved’, but how many ‘newly churched/saved’ folk actually remain ‘unsaved’ because things ‘of first importance’ were not part of your marketing/advertising campaign to get them through the front doors, nor are they preeminent (and in some cases even included) in your preaching, stage presentations?

Something to think about. . .

So that’s what I was thinking about during my ‘morning’ time before I went to work today and during my drive to work. Pulling into the parking lot, I heard a Keith Green song that literally made my whole day. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

There is a Redeemer

There is a Redeemer
Jesus, God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God
Messiah, Holy One

Jesus, my Redeemer
Name above all names
Precious Lamb of God
Messiah, O for sinners slain

Thank You, O my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving us Your Spirit
‘Til the work on earth is done

When I stand in glory
I will see His face
And there I’ll serve
My King forever
In that holy place

Signs of the times. . .?

Posted by Dan C. on

Have you ever pulled a book off the shelf because you just wanted to reread it it in it’s entirety, or maybe to revisit certain themes contained within? I did last evening – for both purposes I just mentioned. I just wanted to share a couple of tidbits from that book.

“Everywhere there is apathy, Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter the better.” – C. H. Spurgeon, 1888, The Sword and the Trowel

“For centuries the Church stood solidly against every form of worldly entertainment, recognizing it for what it was – a device for wasting time, a refuge from the disturbing voice of conscience, a scheme to divert attention from moral accountability. For this she got herself abused roundly by the sons of this world. But of late she has become tired of the abuse and has given over the struggle. She appears to have decided that if she cannot conquer the great god Entertainment she may as well join forces with him and make what she can of his power. So today we have the astonishing spectacle of millions of dollars being poured into the unholy job of providing earthly entertainment for the so-called sons of heaven. Religious entertainment is in many places rapidly crowding the serious things of God. Many churches have become poor theaters where ‘fifth-rate “producers” peddle their shoddy wares with the full approval of evangelical leaders even quote a holy text in defense of their delinquency. And hardly a man dare raise his voice against it.” – A. W. Tozer, 1955, The Root of the Righteous

“Tozer. . .was not condemning games, music styles or movies per se. He was sounding an alarm about a deadly change of focus. He saw evangelicals using entertainment as a tool for church growth, and he believed that was subverting the church’s priorities. He feared that frivolous diversions and carnal amusements in the church would eventually destroy people’s appetites for real worship and the preaching of God’s word.” – John MacArthur, 1993, Ashamed of the Gospel, When the Church Becomes like the World

In his book Ashamed of the Gospel, John MacArthur describes conditions in American evangelical churches fifteen years ago using a series of C. H. Spurgeon articles published in The Sword and the Trowel more than 100 years before that focused on what Spurgeon called “The Down-Grade”.

Looking around at the current ‘evangelical landscape’ I fear that in some places “The Down-grade” has nearly reached bottom. – an old soldier, 2008.

Live from Denver, Colorado . . .is it coming to your town?

Posted by Dan C. on

The article below was sent to me by a friend of mine who lives in Denver. It demonstrates the ‘many paths to God’ heresy common to New Age and is becoming accepted by some who call themselves ‘evangelical Christians’.

TORKELSON: New Mile Hi sanctuary: Idea becomes reality
By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News
Monday, April 7, 2008

A vision, dressed head-to-toe in blazing, squint-your-eyes-white, glided up the steps of Mile Hi Church in Lakewood. Barbara McGhee was trying to match the energy of the new $10 million sanctuary. It opened Sunday, six years to the day the idea was launched.

“I just had a thing this morning – I felt new and clean and white,” said McGhee, 60. She wore a white crochet cap over her shaved head, a beaded Indian pendant on her chest, giant hoop earrings and a long, white cotton dress. The ensemble reflected her American Indian heritage and her rapport with “Wiccan” nature religions.

McGhee might have looked less conventional than everybody else, but she still reflected the eclectic spirit of Mile Hi. It draws from the teachings of many religions and mixes in the possibility-thinking of the self-help movement. At its core is religious science, which champions the mind as the manifestation of the divine.

You could say Sunday celebrated the victory of the mind over what mattered – turning the “vision” of 2002 into reality.

“My heart is so full today it’s almost beyond words – but don’t worry, I’ll find some,” said the senior minister, the Rev. Roger Teel, drawing laughs from the packed auditorium. The church has 1,500 newly-minted seats that were filled for three services.

Teel attended this church as a kid and became its leader in 1993. Under his guidance it’s become the largest U.S. church in the 80-year-old religious science movement, which is now called the United Centers for Spiritual Living. This July, Denver will become the center of the entire organization when the church moves its headquarters here from Los Angeles.

“This God of ours,” Teel boomed, “is not a passionless God but throws itself into creation with mighty abandon!”

A fitting description, that, of Mile Hi’s success. It opened in 1959, holding its first services in a vacuum cleaner store. In 1973 it built the distinctive landmark at Alameda and Garrison, often called “the flying saucer.” That’s now dwarfed by the new, pantheon-shaped, state-of-the-art sanctuary, which will welcome regular guest speakers and self-help icons such as Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and Marianne Williamson.

“I tried some conventional churches where the church was lovely, but the message wasn’t,” said Tom Cauch, a house-flipper, who came with his 9-year-old grandson, Shean. “There, they talked about guilt and fear. Here, they talk about our endless possibilities.”

“The first time I ever walked into this church I felt I was loved,” said longtime member Janet Day.

Ditto for McGhee, a former hospice worker who, years ago, shaved her head to show solidarity with a cancer patient. She then dropped 158 pounds and mustered the courage to be herself:

“It’s all about this church,” she said. “You can do whatever you set your mind to.”

I pray it does not. – B4B

The Rise of Extreme Tolerance

Posted by Dan C. on

The following is an excerpt (the opening paragraph) from an article found here.

“Many evangelicals (once known for a very prudent and biblical approach to doctrine) are fast becoming as doctrinally clueless as the unchurched people they are so keen to please. At least three decades of deliberately downplaying doctrine and discernment in order to attract the unchurched has filled many once-sound churches with people who utterly lack any ability to differentiate the very worst fast doctrines from truth. I constantly encounter evangelical church members who are at a loss to answer the most profound errors they hear from cultists, unorthodox media preachers, or other sources of false doctrine.”

Here is the summary of the article:

“What’s needed today is a generation of men and women who will take a stand on biblical truth. People like that fear the Lord, not men, and will find power and courage from the Lord to uphold His truth in an age of extreme tolerance.”

There’s more worth reading in the middle. . .

The article was adapted from The Truth War, © 2007 by John MacArthur, also worth reading.

Daddy, are we there yet?

Posted by Dan C. on

The above question is not a reference to the question of a small child sitting in the back seat of the family car on a family outing. Back when I was that small child that could have been a ’55 Chevy and I would have been in the back with my older sister and baby brother (if he wasn’t sitting in his Mom’s lap in the front seat with dad. Today the question might never come up because the kids in the back seat are too involved with either on-board or personal entertainment devices. How times have changed! Now that I have dated myself, on to the reader’s challenge. . .

The question is drawn from a portion of one of the statements contained in the following paragraph. The challenge is not to identify the source or date of the quote (that will be provided further down), but to identify the portion of the paragraph to which the question refers, and after a positive I.D., to consider the question. . . “A are we there yet?”

“Some things are true and some things are false. I regard that as an axiom; but there are many persons who evidently do not believe it. The current principle of the present age seems to be, “Some things are either true or false, according to the point of view from which you look at them. Black is white, and white is black according to circumstances; and it does not particularly matter which you call it. Truth of course is true, but it would be rude to say that the opposite is a lie; we must not be bigoted, but remember the motto, ‘So many men, so many minds.'”  The school of modern thought laughs at the ridiculous positiveness of Reformers and Puritans; it is advancing in glorious liberality, and before long will publish a grand alliance between heaven and hell, or, rather, an amalgamation of the two establishments upon terms of mutual concession, allowing falsehood and truth to lie side by side, like the lion with the lamb. Still, for all that, my firm old-fashioned belief is that some doctrines are true, and that statements which are diametrically opposite to them are not true,—that when “No” is the fact, “Yes” is out of court, and that when “Yes” can be justified, “No” must be abandoned.”

About the quotation. . .I found it as a result of connecting to a link provided at another blog that had used a different section of the same source for a blog post. That blog post is here. The quotation was taken from an address to college students by C.H. Spurgeon and published in the March 1874 edition of Sword and Trowel. The entire address is here.